VCR repair from a home workshop

Households with family tapes they want to play, retro and film collectors, and small businesses, schools or care settings with old equipment.

A fixed fee for a check and quote, then a set price per repair or service. Some owners also sell refurbished machines with a short warranty.

• Basic electronics and soldering
• Patient fault-finding
• Clear, honest customer communication

• Public liability insurance, plus cover for customers' items while in your care
• Mains-powered equipment can be dangerous, so learn safe working and test repaired units before returning them
• Spare parts are getting harder to find, so check you can get what you need before taking jobs
• Check the rules for disposing of old electronics (WEEE) with your local council
• Treat customers' tapes with care, as they are often irreplaceable family footage, and be clear about what you cannot guarantee
• Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to agree to a business at home

Startup costs are estimated at typically around £300 to £1,500, depending on the test equipment, tools and spare parts you already have. A small bench at home keeps costs down, but check you can source the parts you need before taking jobs.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £200 to £1,000, depending on how many machines you repair and how you charge. The estimates assume at least about 6 hours a week. Customers include households with family tapes, collectors and small organisations.

Check you have public liability insurance and cover for customers' items in your care. Learn safe working with mains-powered equipment and test repaired units. Check WEEE disposal rules with your council, and whether your landlord, lender or council must agree to a home business.